will adding more gourds to a pole cause confusion this late?
a landlord a couple miles from me asked for some advise in getting a colony started earlier this year. He has the start of a colony well underway his first year. Question is, i had him put on 10 gourds on one tier to start, but they are close to full, would adding more gourds to it cause any confusion ?
2007- 1 pair, 6 fledge
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
-
James Johnson
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:30 am
- Location: Arkansas/Western Grove
Adding more gourds may cause a minimal amount of curiosity but should not case any undue stress to nesting pairs. On the other hand, it could releve competition stress to nesting pairs by providing additional nesting area for competing late arrival.
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
One year, I didn't get my gourds up in time. I kept adding gourds when I found time, never had a problem with it. They do look a bit confused the first day.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
It is my opinion that offering more cavities will actually lesson confusion and chaos especially if SYs are arriving. If you have 100% occupancy when the Sys arrive and they do not find empty cavities at healthy colonies they *sometimes* raid nests in order to interrupt the nesting pair. Offering more gourds after filling up will alleviate that problem, as the Sys will find a place to nest, not to mention that colony will appreciate increased population. Nothing attracts martins more than happy martins.
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda